Pin tumbler lock



Mm 26, 1940. .1. A. FREMON 2,194,459

PIN TUMBLER LOCK Filed April 4, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOE March 26, 1940. J. A. FREMON PIN TUMBLIERLOCK Filed April 4, 1935 2Sheets-Sheet 2 9 m .M. a

INVENTOE J .fi/770/7 6 GENE) PatenteclMar. 26; 1940 i I i i f UNITEDSTATES, PATENTv QFFICE W PIN TUMBLER LOCK Jules A. Fremon, St.Louis,'Mo. Application April 4, 1935, Serial No. 14,560 32 Claims. (01.70-364)" Myinvention relates to pin tumbler locks and Figure 6illustrates a pp the P consists in novel construction of a pin'unit byand used for movingthe tumbler parts from the itself which may or maynot be associated with position shown in Figures 3 and 10 to-theposition novel plug and case structure according to shown in Figuresstand 11 and back again.

5 whether or not all featuresofthe invention are i u e 7 s a l ud naVertical, section b to be utilized. 1 a through a lock case and plugwith pin tumblers,

One object of the invention-is to simplify the drivers, and key shownassembledand in position fitting of the key to-the lock or, morespecifically, w e y the p may be rotated in e' e I to set the pintumblers to cooperate with a given Fig r 8 is a v r transverse section rh 10. key. I an assembly as. illustrated in Figure 7 and is Anotherobject is to make possible the use of taken o the OfFigure v e y astandard pin tumbler, and thereby eliminate Figure 9 is 3/ SimilarSection Showing the P the production of a huge .quantity of pin elementsrotated to position in W i the tumbler Parts of differentlen.gths,'without any restrictionupon may be released from each other. pI 16. the number of different combinations possible in ur 10 is a p ew op O a p and a given series of locks. tumbler assembly, the plug casebeing shown in Another object of the invention is to facilitate e i n nthe el m nts in the normal as emthe. changing of a lock combination sothat it can bled P S 1 l no longer be operatedby one key but may be F gue 11 is a corresp d ng detail .VieW but 80 operated by a different key,a more specific object showing the elementsmoved to the position takenbeing to make possible the changing of the lock in. which the relationbetween the tumbler parts from one combination to another by a merchantmaybe ehallged- I or, in some forms of the invention, by a user, and Fir i a pe p iv vi w f h c sh wwithout requiring the experience, tools,orstock pe fl thewall thereof whereby 26 parts usually required bylocksmiths, the re-setting of the pin tumblers maybe effected 2o Theinvention includes, for example, a pin by atool applied from the exterio-rof the case. tumbler having an upper and a lower part for ASuitable T1001 e this p p isehown in engaging the driver and key,respectively, which Figure parts are adjustable axially of thetumbler'to Figure'li p 110 Figure 3 but illusao vary its length andtherefore the distance it will t at a m fied m f h inv ntion. raise thedriver. The tumbler structure also-in- Figure B a horizontal S ct otaken on the eludes means for securing the tumbler parts in i e ofFigure 1 different relations to each other and, preferably, Figure 16 issimilar to Fi 14 but t ates elements for readily releasing such means toproh r m d ti n f, the invention.

all duce anew relation of the tumbler parts men- Figure 17 S a e ail Sct o taken on the line tioned above. In the preferred form of the inoFigure I I V8nti0n,i the tumblerparts may be adjusted to The tumblerparts shown in all of the figures different relative positionsrepeatedly without rem y e teieseopedione Within the th r, and in movingany of the tumbler parts from the plu Figures 1 to 12 both the parts aretubular, the

40 andwithout removing the plug from its case. tumbler upper part Ihaving a series of periph- 40 The above statedobjects and generalstructure eral projections in. the form of ridges 2 subjust mentionedare embodied in the devices illus stantially throughout its length andinterrupted trated in'the accompanying drawings, in which by a pair oflongitudinal grooves 3 located at op- Fi'gure 1 illustrates the upper"part of one I posite sides of the part. A pair of guiding ears form ofapin tumbler unit. 4 project from the upper portion of the part. 45

Figure 2 illustrates the lower partof the same Part I is open from endto -end. unit, I v The tumbler lower part 5 has a smooth in- Figu're'3illustrates the two parts assembled terior except for a pair of inwardlyprojecting with each other. in a position in which they are ips Gllideearsl p l' laterally 'Pa relatively immovable axially of the tumbler. v5 and correspond to ears 4- on part I. The bot- 5 Figure 4 illustratesthe two parts assembled tom 3 of the part is closed and may be ofconical with eachother in a position which permits their shape to moreeasily ride over the key bits. relative'adjustment axially of thetumbler. The outside diameter of the body ofpart I Figure 5'illustratesa plug body into which the corresponds to the inside diameter of thebody as tumblersare inserted. 1 of part 5 and lips 6correspondftogrooves 3 and ridges 2 whereby the two parts may telescopefreely when-in the position shown in Figure 4, and may be rotatedrelative to each other at various points to the position shown in Figure3 and when so rotated cooperate to form a rigid look, but such spacingof the ridges isnQt essential. The tumblers are assembled in a plug itrotatable in a case 2! in the usual manner except as described below.Plug it] and case 2| have a series of holes ll, Ila for receiving thetumblers in the usual manner, but these holes have lateral extensions inthe form of channels l2 and I3, Mia and l3a, adapted to receive theguiding ears 4 and I on the tumbler parts and thereby hold the two partsin the relation shown in Figure 3 in which they comprise rigid tumblerunits.

The upper end of each left hand channel [2 in the plug is enlargedlongitudinally of the plug, as at M. A portion of the plug adjacent theupper ends of the right hand channels !3 is cut away and replaced by aslidable bar l5. This bar has a plurality of notches l6 adapted to alinewith the right hand channels it, as shown in Figures 8 and 10, or to bemoved towards the front of the plug a short distance, as indicated inFigure 11. Notches l6 engage right hand ears 4 of the tumbler upperparts to rotate the latter irom the position shown in Figure 10 to theposi-' tion shown in Figure 11. At the same time, the lower parts 5 ofthe tumbler are held against rotation. Accordingly, the tumbler partsare rotated from the assembled relation, shown in Figure 3, to theassembled relation shown in Figure 4 and maybe moved lengthwise of eachother;

Bar I5 is yieldingly held in its normal position on plug ID by a springI! seated in a recess IS on the plug and in niche l 9 i n'the bar. IWhen a key K fitting the lock setting is inserted in the plug, all thepin tumblers are raised to the position shown in Figures 7 and 8,lifting the drivers 20 to the top surface of the plug, and the plug maybe rotated in the case 2| to the position shown in Figure 9 in which'bar i5 is abreast ofan opening 22 in case 2|! and a tool 25 may beinserted through opening 22 into an opening 23 in the bar to slide theher along the plug from the position shown in Figure 10 to the positionshown in Figure "l 1. Spring ll accom-' modates such sliding movement byyielding and slipping into niche 24. This releasesthe tumbler parts fromeach other.

If the key is now withdrawn from the plug, the tumbler lower parts 5drop to the bottom of the holes II in theplug.

Tumbler upper parts I will be held in elevated position by theengagement of their ears 4 with theflat surface of the plug upon whichbar l5 slides and with the shouldersat the bottoms of the enlargementsl4.

Any other key having a cross-section correspending to the original keymay now be inserted in the key slot and the key bits will raise thetumbler lower parts 5 to positions which have no necessary relation withtheir original positions. I

' gagethe bottom of the tumbler lower parts 5 to thrust them downwardly.Bar 55 is then re- I tracted to the position shown in Figure 10 and thetumbler parts are secured to each other in their new relation. The plugmay be rotated to the position shown in Figure 8 and the key withdrawn,whereupon the drivers will overlap the joint between'the case and the.plug in the .usual manner, and the lock will nowbe respon sive only tothe last mentioned key. I

The rotation of the plug mentioned heretofore refers to the rotationbetween theitwo positions illustrated in Figures 8 and 9 merely for thepur pose of effecting a change in-the lock combination. It is to beunderstood that the plug may be rotated in the usual way to anynecessary extent to throw the bolt (not shown) which will engage or beconnected to the inner portion '23 of theplug in any ordinary manner.

prising-telescoping parts normallyheld in rigid and the pin base'part 5!is smaller in diameter I I and has a diametral slot SZ'eXtendingthroughout.

the major portion of its length. A flat spring 33 is seated in the cap30 and projects laterally therefrom at 34 through a hole in one side ofthe cap to fit into a channel 35 in the plug 36 to guide the pin andprevent itsrotation inthe plug hole. From 34 the springis doubled onitself and extends transversely of the pin through the Figures Hand 15illustrate a pin tumbler com-f 1 I assembly by suitable securing means,but when slot 32 in the lower part 3.5 and through an open ing in theopposite sideof cap 39. A coiled spring 4 37 surrounds the lower part 3!and is compressed between the horizontal portion of spring 33 and ashoulder 38 on part 3l'.- The horizontal. part 33a of this springhasteeth tii opposing a series of corresponding teeth 48 disposedlengthwise of part 3!.

A .bar 42 is smae mounted in a slot was for in plug 36 and the forwardouter 'endof this bar includes a lug 43 disposed to project through anopening 44- therefor -in the forward end of the plug 46 and case 45.

When a proper key has been inserted in the plug so as to lift the pintumblers and the drivers it to the position shown in Figure 14,,bar 42may be slid rearwardly by pressure on lug .43 applied I I 4 through theopening 44 to the position shown in Figure 15 in which its cam faces 41have engaged the left hand ends of spring parts 33a to move the latterto the right into notches 35a and disengage teeth 39 andI48. If the keyis now withdrawn, springs 31 will automatically press lower parts 3!downwardly, A new key maybe i 'i 60 the hitting of the key. Pressure onlug 43 is then released. Springs 45 return bar. 42 to its I inserted andlower partstl raised according to original position, which releasesspring parts 33c from the abnormal position shown, and permits thespring 33 to resume its normalshape engagwill maintain this relationuntil they have been again adjusted by another operation, as describedabove, involving the use of a proper key to get the elements intoshiftable positionv and I then using a new key to adjust the elements toa new position.

In the arrangement shown in Figures 1 to 13, inclusive, it will benecessary to take the case 65 I ing teeth 35 and 4!! and seourelyholdingthe two tumbler parts in the new adjusted relation. Hwy

:out of the lock in order to gain access toopening 22, and possiblyopenings 25, in order to change preferred in many instances,particularly where h an owner may desire to change the combination ofhis look quickly and without removing the case from the door. With thisarrangement it is not even necessary to rotate theplug to a pinreleasing position as in the previous form.

Figures 16 and 1'? illustrate another form'of pin tumbler structure inwhich the pin parts 50 and are assembled simiiarlyto theparts shown inFigures 14 and 15 but the spring 52 for automatically extendingthe'parts when they are released from each other is'housed wholly withinthe upper part 5i The elementsfor holding the two pins in assembledrelation are engaged and disengaged by relative rotary movement of theparts, somewhatfas in the first construction described above, 7projected in between two lugs 54 on part 5! by suitable rotary movementof part lill by a bar 55 slidable in the plug 56 by means of apin (notshown) inserted through'the hole 51 in the case 58'. The pin tumblerparts are provided with ears 59 and Eli sliding in suitable channels Blin the plug to hold the parts against relative rotation'exce'pt whensuch rotationis intended.

In all forms of the invention, present standard types and sizes ofplugs, cases, drivers, driver springs and keys may be retained.

In 'all*forms or the invention, it is unneces sary in the course ofmanufacture to assemble predetermined pin tumblers and correspondingkeys as is now the requiredpractice. Fitting of keys to the looks, orvice versa, may be accom plished' after manufacture and assembly of thelock is completed, and may be deferred until the lock is sold at retaihIn the course of manufacture, all the tumblers will be set to somestandard length, probably the maximum length, which will result in thetumblers completely filling the plug holes so that the plug might'befreely revolved without the insertion condition, the lock would beproperly described asbeing a dummy lock and that status may continue, ifdesired, up tov the time the lock is sold at retail, when, dependingupon the requirements of the retail customer, the look may be fitted toa key which the customer may already have (providing only that such keyis of the uniform cross-section required for the key-way plug butirrespective of the key hitting), or the lock may be fitted too. newbitted key or matched set of .bitted keys which. the retailer will carryas a stock of merchandise separate and apart fromthe stock of locks.

. Any number of locks may be fitted to one single key at any time. .Ihusit will be possible for the retailer to deliver directly over thecounter to his. customer one or more matched looks with any desirednumber of keys, thereby affording to the usual and ordinary retaildealer and customer a lock service which, under present merchandisingmethods, is available only at added cost and the delay incident tohandling special orders to of a key. In this the factory or by havingthe tumblers removed and replaced by locksmiths. Furthermore, aperson-having acquired a lock of this construction may thereafterprooure'without difficulty, delay, or unusual expense, as many looks ashe may require,- all fitted to the key which he already has, andconsequently matched with those locks which are under his control.

The value and utility of practical, inexpensive means to efiect changes.in the setting of the pin tumblers after the lock has been placed inservice and without disassembling the cylinder is well known by thosewho are conversant with the art. y

The style and number of the grooves, position- I ing ears, the shape andextent o fthe pin tumblers, and other means for releasing or guiding thepin tumbler parts and other details illustrated may be modified in manyways other than as indicated in the accompanying drawings and abovedescription.

While I have only illustrated and described pin tumblers above, itisobvious that the pin drivers may embody the invention and it is to beunderstood that myformal claims'are not limited to tumblers unless sostated.

t is to be understood that I contemplate the exclusive use of allmodifications of the invention embodying the essential featuresdisclosed herein and coming within the scope of my claims. 7

I claim:

1. A pin tumbler lock pin unit. having opposite ends for engaging a pin,said driver and pin havingtheir longitudinal axes substantiallycoinciding and extending substantially through the centers oi, theiropposite ends, and means for repeatedly changing the height of thetumbler pin seat for said. driver without disassembling the tumbler pin.

4;. In a key lock, a tumbler pin having a keyengaging part and adriver-engaging part axially aligned therewith, and means for repeatedlyvarying the distance between key-engaging part and the top of saiddriverengaging part. Y

,5. In a key look, a pin tumbler comprising telescoping parts, therebeing interengaging elements on the opposing sides of said partssecuring said parts in selected telescoped position.

6. In a key look, a pin tumbler comprising telescoping parts, the innerof said parts having outwardly projecting means and the outer oi saidparts having inwardly prm'ectin means, said one of said parts has openends and the other of said parts has a closed outer end whereby a toolmaybe inserted through the first mentioned driver and key respectively"and comprising parts with their longitudinal the bottomo'f said part andengage the bottom of the second mentioned part to extend said tumblerwhen the holding means are arranged to permit such movement.

8. In a key lock, a rotatable plug, a pintumbler comprising a pluralityof parts having interengaging elements normally holding said partsagainst relative movement lengthwise of the tumbler, and means fordisengaging said elements from each other, to adjust the relativeposition of said parts. lengthwise of the tumbler, without removing saidtumbler from said plug.

9. In a key lock, a rotatable plug, a pin tumbler therein comprising aplurality of members having one relative position in which they are heldin fixed relation and having another relativeposition in which they maymove relatively longitudinally of the tumbler axis, and means in saidplug for moving said members from one of said positions to the other.

' 10. 111 a key look, a rotatable plug having a key slot, a membermovable in said plug, there being a pin tumbler recess in said plug, apin tumbler slidable in said recess, said pin tumbler being adjustableas tolength, and means controlled by said member for holding said pintumbler against adjustment as described.

' 11. In akey lock, a rotatable plug, a pin tumbler comprising partsmovable relative to each other longitudinally of the tumbler to vary thelength of the tumbler, and means for securing said parts in fixedrelative position, said means being releasable, when said plug isrotated out of locked position, to permit relative movement of saidparts.

12. In a keydock, a case, a plug rotatable therein, a driver normallyholding said plug against rotation, a pin tumbler for moving said driverto non-functioning position and compri ing parts movable relative toeach other tovary the over-all length of the tumbler, inte'rengageableelements on said parts for holding said parts against such movement, andmeans in said plug normally holding said elements in engaged position,and operable when said plug is turned out of locked position, todisengage said elements and provide for said movement.

13. In a key look, a rotatable plug having a radial hole for a pintumbler, there being a channel in said cylinder at the side of said holeand extending longitudinally thereof, and a pin tumbler movable axiallyof said hole and comprising a plurality of parts each having anelementprojecting into said channel to hold said parts against relativerotation in said hole.

i i. In a key look, a rotatable plug having a radial hole for a pintumbler, there being a channel in said cylinder forming an extension ofone side of said hole and paralleling the same, and a pin tumblermovable axially of said hole and comprising a plurality of parts eachhaving an ear projecting into said channel to hold said parts againstrelative rotation in said hole, there being a recess in said plugadjacent to said hole and channel, and movable means in said recesshaving elements forming a continuation of said slot.

15. In a key lock, a rotatable plug having a radial hole for a pintumbler, there being a channel in said cylinder forming an extension ofone side'of said hole and paralleling the same, and a pin tumblermovable axially or said hole and comprising a plurality of parts eachhaving an ear projecting into said channel to hold said parts againstrelative rotation in'sald hole, there being a recess in said plugadjacent to said hole and channel, and movable means in said recesshaving elements for engaging, one of said ears to hold it in line withsaid channel or tomove it to rotate the corresponding part relativetothe other of said parts.

In a ey lo k, a plus, apin tumbler therein" comprising a plurality ofparts which are'rotatable relative to each other, about their axis;

from a position in which they are inter-engaged to resist relative axialmovement to a position in which they may move axially or each other,-said plug including elements holding one of said parts against rotationabout its axis, and means for rotating the other of said parts in saidplug.

'17. In a key look, a plug, a pin tumbler com I prising a cup-like lowerpart and an upper part slidable therein, means on said parts normallyinterengaged to hold said parts against sliding movement, saidmeansbeing disengageable by relative rotary movement of said parts, an ele- Yment on said plug for holding one of said parts against rotary movement,and means slidableon said plug for rotating the other or said parts todisengage said means.

13. In a lock of the class described, a case,

a plug rotatable therein, a tumblerpin comprisi'ng a plurality of partsand having a position in said plug where said parts are relatively;movable having a position in said plug where said parts are relativelymovable longitudinally. of their axis and having another position insaid plug where said parts are relatively immovable longitudinally ofsaid axis, and a member slidable along said plug for moving said of saidpositions to the other. 1 I

20. In a pin tumbler lock of the class described, a plug having a pintumbler receiving recess, a portion of said plug being cutaway partsfrom one adjacent to the, wall of said recess, and a mem-f ber movablerelative to saidplug and forming a continuation of said wall in place ofsaidremoved portion. 1

21. In a pin tumbler'lockpin unit, parts having moving said end'elements relative to each other axially of the other,- and a device forpositively holding said parts against such movement.

22. In a key lock, a case, a plug rotatabletherein, a pin tumbler insaid plug comprising telescoping parts, means yieldingly moving saidparts relative to each other axiallyor the tumbler, a device normallypositively holding said oppositely facing end elements, means yieldinglyV parts against such movement, and means operable from the exterior ofthe plug for rendering said device inoperative. j i

23. In a key look, a case, a rotatable plug therein having a pin tumblerrecess, a pin tumf bler slidable in said recess and comprising aplurality of parts which may be adjusted during tive positionslongitudinally of the tumbler, and

means for temporarily holding one of said parts I immovable in said plugwhile the other part is being adjusted relative to said-first-mentionedv part.

30: longitudinally of their. axis and having another the functioninglife of the lock to different rela- 24. In a key look, a case, arotatable plug therein having a pin tumbler recess, a pin tumblerslidable in said recess and comprising a plurality of parts. normallyinterengaged to hold them against relative axial movement whereby theyform a rigid tumbler unit, means for temporarily holding one of saidparts in a given position, and means for moving the other of said partsto disengage said first-mentioned part. and to assume a differentrelative position longitudinally of the same.

25. In a key look, a case, a rotatable plug therein having a pin tumblerrecess, a pin tumbler slidable in said recess and comprising a pluralityof parts normally, interengaged to hold them against relative movementwhereby they form a rigid tumbler unit, means for holding the driverengaging part against movement in the plug when the parts are inunlocked position, and means for disengaging said parts and moving thekey-engaging part relative to said driverengaging part. I

26. In a pin tumbler, a driver member, a tumbler member, one of saidmembers comprising: a

plurality of parts with their longitudinal axes substantially coincidingand extending substan tially through the centers of their opposite ends,said parts being adjustable relative to each other longitudinally of thepin axis, and cooperating elements on said'parts normally holding saidparts against relative movement axially of the tumbler and drivermembers.

27. In a lock of the class described, a case, a plug rotatable therein,a tumbler pin slidable axially in said plug, and comprising a pluralityof parts, said parts being held against rotary,

movement in said plug when said plugis in one position, and means forrotating said parts relative to each other when said plug is in anotherposition, said parts being movable relative to each other along theirlongitudinal'axes when said plug is in the latter-mentioned position butnot when said plug is in the first-mentioned position.

28. In a look, a rotatable plug having a key receiving elongatedpassage, a pin tumbler lock pin unit extending at right angles to saidpassage and comprising parts constructed and arranged for successiveadjustments lengthwise of the pin plug and comprising a plurality ofcooperating parts adjustable relative to each other longitudinally ofthe pin axis, a driver engaging the end of said pin, and means foradjusting the relative position of said parts along said axis withoutremoving said plug from said case.

31. A pin unit for a pin tumbler lock having opposite ends for engaginga driver and key, respectively, and comprising parts with theirlongitudinal axes substantially coinciding and extending substantiallythrough the centersof their opposite ends, said parts being adjustablein opposite directions relative, to each other longitudinally of the pinaxis during the useful life of the lock to vary the length of the unit.

32. A unit lock pin having opposite endsfor engaging a driver and key,respectively, comprising telescoping parts, one of "said partsconsisting of a cylindrical tube and receiving theother of said parts,and readily releasable means for holding said parts against telescopingmovement.

JULES A. FREMON.

